Student Edition of the Dean's Newsletter, November 2026
Dear Students,
Late fall is beautiful and busy! By this point in the semester, you may have attended a fall sporting event, an academic lecture, or one of the Valley’s many fall festivals. You are also deep into your classes, projects, and assignments. I hope that you have settled into a routine and found a comfortable cadence to your daily life. If you need support, I encourage you to reach out. Your faculty, advisors, and the HFA Advising & Career Center can help you work through challenges, connect with resources, and plan your next steps. These resources are here for you, please use them. This is also a good time to begin thinking about next semester and the opportunities ahead. Whether you are considering studying abroad, pursuing an internship, or exploring a new academic interest, talk with an advisor about how those experiences might fit into your plans. And of course, money matters! Explore AcademicWorks to find scholarship opportunities and apply for support.
Thank you for all you bring to HFA.
Maria del Guadalupe (Lupe) Davidson
Dean, College of Humanities and Fine Arts
HFA Career Corner
HFA Scholarships Through AcademicWorks
Complete your AcademicWorks application and explore scholarships to help support your education. HFA scholarships typically range from $300 to $4,000 and are made possible by the generous support of UMass Amherst alumni and friends and the Dean’s Office.
Springfield Internship Program Accepting Applications for Spring 2027
Interested in working at a nonprofit, museum, or media organization? The Springfield Internship Program gives HFA students a chance to explore these fields and build professional skills this spring. The program provides transportation. Apply by December 1, 2026.
Announcing the HFA Legal & Public Service Alumni Network
The College of Humanities and Fine Arts is launching a pilot alumni mentoring network for students interested in careers in law, federal service, public service, or foreign service. The network will connect participating students with alumni mentors who can offer guidance on career exploration, applications, internships, professional expectations, and pathways after graduation.
Students who would like to learn more or be considered for the program should contact Philippe Baillargeon (baillargeon [at] llc [dot] umass [dot] edu (baillargeon[at]llc[dot]umass[dot]edu)), Associate Dean for Careers, Professional Pathways, and Innovation.
Prepare for Your Next Interview
Applying for a winter, spring, or summer opportunity? Practice with a career advisor before your interview. In a mock interview, you can rehearse common questions, get feedback, and learn to use the STAR method to describe a situation, your task, the action you took, and the result.
Book a mock interview through Handshake or use the HFA Job Interview Prep Guide to practice on your own.
Design Contest
HFA Seasonal Greeting Card Design Contest: Win a $200 Gift Card
Calling all student artists! The College of Humanities & Fine Arts is looking for original artwork to feature on its seasonal greeting card. Whether you paint, draw, photograph, or create digital art, we want to see your interpretation of the season! The winning artist will receive a $200 UMass Bookstore gift card. Open to all currently enrolled UMass Amherst students.
Submission deadline: Monday, November 30, 2026.